Mustangs down Rams to claim Class B2 title

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 June 2021 at 4:54 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina players and coaches celebrate capturing the Section VI Class B2 championship with a 7-0 win over Roy-Hart at Vets Park this afternoon.

Escaping a big first inning jam, top seeded Medina went on to shutout No. 3 seed Niagara-Orleans League rival Roy-Hart 7-0 to capture the Section VI Class B2 championship this afternoon at Vets Park.

Roy-Hart got the bases loaded with one out in the top of the first inning on a walk, an error and an intentional walk. However, the Mustangs quickly got out of the jam as pitcher Zach Fike bore down to register two clutch inning ending strikeouts.

Medina’s AJ Seefeldt celebrates banging out a three-run double in the second inning.

“That was huge for Zach to battle back and shut them down like that,” said Medina Coach Jon Sherman. “And then we were able to come right back and score a run. That was big.”

Keeping the momentum from that strong performance on the mound, the Mustangs scored what proved to be the game winning run in the bottom of the first on an error. A leadoff single by Brian Fry and a sacrifice bunt by AJ Seefeldt set up the threat.

Medina then broke the contest open by erupting for five runs in the second inning. A huge bases loaded, three run triple by Seefeldt was the lone hit of the frame as an error and a RBI sacrifice fly by Fike plated the other two runs for the big 6-0 lead.

Brian Fry connects for a triple to drive in Medina’s final run.

Fry also drove in Medina’s final run with a two out, triple in the sixth inning.

Fike finished with a two hitter and 10 strikeouts as he retired the last 10 batters he faced in order.

“Zach really gutted it out,” said Sherman. “He was having some trouble with his second pitch but he worked through it and pitched a fine game.”

Roy-Hart hurler Thomas Russo III likewise went the distance on the mound allowing only 3 hits and striking out 9.

Medina, which downed Roy-Hart twice during the N-O season in route to a 12-0 title campaign, finishes the season with a 16-1 record. Roy-Hart winds up at 13-4.

It marks the third straight season that the Mustangs and Rams have met in a sectional title contest. Roy-Hart edged Medina 4-2 for the Class B2 title in 2018 and the Mustangs downed the Rams 15-4 for the overall Section VI Class B title in 2019.

The victory also caps off an incredible four sectional title year for Medina as the Mustangs also captured Section VI championships in football, basketball and soccer. Click here to view a video of highlights from the game.